Newmarket Council Banning the Circus?

Written by PETA | June 15, 2009

Last month, the Newmarket Council in Ontario voted to deny a permit to the Shrine Circus for performances that were scheduled to take place at Ray Twinney Recreation Complex on June 17 and 18 because of safety and other concerns.

Unfortunately, the circus promoter decided to challenge the council’s vote. But all is not lost. On Friday, while a judge was scheduled to review the challenge, local residents stood outside the courthouse to show support for the council’s ruling. But the hearing was postponed! Undeterred, our heroes hit the streets again today to ask the court to say “No!” to Shrine Circus cruelty.

Newmarket and its residents have good reason to worry about the safety of circuses that use animals, especially elephants. Captive elephants are beaten, chained, and denied everything that is natural and important to them, and they have been known to go on rampages. And because of elephants’ tremendous size, even minor accidents can be dangerous. Just three months ago, 12 children were injured when a Shrine Circus elephant bumped into a mobile staircase where the kids were waiting for rides.

While we’re all waiting on pins and needles for the judge’s decision, we encourage you to reach out to your local lawmakers and urge them to enact legislation banning circuses with animal acts.

Commenting is closed.

I think PETA should promote and thank Cirque Du Soleil a very successful and entertaining circus with no animals! Circuses can be highly profitable and highly entertaining without animals. it would put some animal abusers out of work if they got rid of animals but then they might end up getting jobs at KFC’s factory farms. PETA Can you send thanks to Cirque Du Soleil?

Not to mention not far from Newmarket last year or the year beforean elephant from the Shrine Circus booked it down the street to get away into residential areas! I hope the judge rules in favour of the animals! The circus sucks and I protest the hell out of it every time it comes to town!

Almost all of us grew up eating meat, wearing leather, and going to circuses and zoos. We never considered the impact of these actions on the animals involved. For whatever reason, you are now asking the question: Why should animals have rights? Read more.